Rotating lawn sprayer nozzle having depending cylindrical deflecting surfaces



J. E. WALDRUM ETAL 3313A$9 ROTATING LAWN SPRAYER NOZZLE HAVING DEPENDINGA ril M, 1%?

CYLINDRICAL DEFLECTING SURFACES Filed March 5, 1965 INVENTORS. JOHN E.WALDRUM RAYMOND J. ROB/NSO/V ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent RQTATHN G LAWN SPRAYER' NQZZLE HAV- 1N G DEPENDENGCYLINERKCAL DEFLECT- ING SURFACES 501111 E. Waldrum, Ambler, and RaymondJ. Robinson, Fort Washington, Pan, assignors to Amchem Products, Inc.,Ambler, Pa., a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 5, 1965, Ser. No.437,420 7 Claims. (Cl. 239223) ABSTRACT (BE THE DISCLQSURE A lawnsprayer nozzle with several concentric circular spray walls of varyingdiameters extending in the downstream direction away from a base withdischarge openings being located closely adjacent to the interior sideof a particular spray wall so that when the base is rotated, thecentrifugal force imparted to the material to be sprayed as it passesthrough a discharge opening will cause such material to be impelledagainst the interior side of a spray wall and then finally dischargedfrom the outer edges of the spray wall to produce uniform particle sizeand a uniform spray pattern.

This invention relates to a lawn sprayer nozzle and has as its objectivethe provision of a new and improved device of this general class. Thenozzle of the present invention may be utilized as a spray head in acentrifugal applicator for dispersing chemicals which may be eitherliquids, or free-flowing solids.

The nozzle of the present invention is so constructed that the dischargetherefrom is in the form of uniform droplets of a size which may bevaried by changing the diameter of the discharge openings. Where veryviscous liquids carrying extremely active herbicides such as 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and its derivatives are involved, thedischarge openings may be relatively large so that the spray patternconsists of large droplets that will not drift. Except for the normalpressure associated with the head of the material to be dispensed thatis being held in a storage tank associated with the lawn sprayer, thereis a total absence of any additional pressure necessary for thefunctioning of the nozzle of the present invention.

It is a prime object of the present invention to provide a lawn sprayernozzle of relatively simple construction which achieves all of theforegoing advantages and objectives and which is of a simpleconstruction and relatively low cost.

The aforesaid objectives are achieved by providing a lawn sprayer nozzlethat is basically comprised of a base having a plurality of spray wallsextending therefrom in the downstream direction, the base further havinga plurality of discharge openings therein, with the dis charge openingsbeing formed closely adjacent to a particular spray wall but beinglocated on the interior side of the spray wall so that when the nozzleis rotated about an axis passing through its center point, thecentrifugal force imparted to the liquid or solid being discharged willcause the same to be impelled against the interior side of the spraywall. This feature achieves a surprising uniformity in the size of thedroplets in the spray pattern of the liquid being discharged from thenozzle. In a preferred form of the invention, notches are provided inthe spray walls, although it is also contemplated that there may be pegsupstanding from the spray walls, the purpose of either the pegs or thenotches being to hasten the separation of the solid being dispensed fromthe spray wall and to enhance uniformity of droplet size. The presentinvention also contemplates providing the spray walls in varyingelevations or steps, and also beveling the tops of the spray walls to beinclined outwardly so that the liquid or solid emerging from thesprayhead will not bridge the gap between the adjacent spray walls, butinstead will more readily pass from the top of the spray wall and awayfrom the nozzle.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of the presentinvention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes betterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the top of the nozzleof the present invention operatively secured to the axle of a lawnsprayer and also showing certain features of the supply connectionsthereto;

FIG. 2 is a somewhat enlarged side elevational view of the nozzle ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the nozzle of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view along the lines 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but wherein notches have beenprovided in the spray walls of the nozzle;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar to FIG. .4 showing notches in thespray walls of the nozzle;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 but wherein pegs extend from thespray walls of the nozzle; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic view on a reduced scale of a lawn sprayerincorporating the nozzle of the present invention.

Referring now to the various figures of the drawing wherein likereference characters refer to like parts, there is shown in FIG. 1 alawn sprayer nozzle 1b of the present invention operatively secured toaxle 12 of a lawn spraying device, and also showing supply connections14 and support member 16. FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 show the details of thenozzle 10 which is basically comprised of a base 13 with cover 19(FIG. 1) having an end annular section 2-0 with an upwardly extendingflange 22. Depending in a downstream direction from the base 18generally in a downstream direction are concentric spray walls 24, 26,28 and Si that have a common center point. A plurality of dischargeopenings 32 are formed in the base 18 closely adjacent to a particularspray wall. But the discharge openings are located on the interior sideof the spray wall (the side closest to the center point).

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the spray walls 24, 26, 28 and 3d aredisposed in a stepped relationship with the innermost spray wall 24extending the furthest away from the base 18 and then in declining orderthe spray walls 26, 28 and 3-0. This, however, is an optional featurewhenever it is desired to insure that there will not be any bridging bythe liquid being discharged between adjacent spray walls.

As further shown in FIG. 4, the tips of the spray walls may be beveledoutwardly and away from the center point, such as the bevel 34 of FIG.4. This is also optional whenever it is desired further to minimize thebridging of the liquid or solids being discharged from neighboring spraywalls.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show a preferred embodiment of the invention whereinnotches such as the V-shaped notches 36 of FIG. 6 may be formed in thevarious spray walls. The

. notches are not necessarily V-shaped, but may alternatively beU-shaped or in some irregular pattern depending upon the viscosity andsurface tension of the material being sprayed, and upon other physicalconstant of the ma terial being sprayed or upon the particular spraypressure.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7, pegs 38 extending from the spraywalls may be provided to avoid the bridging problem as previouslymentioned in lieu of or in connection with either or both the notches 36or the beveled tops 34.

As shown in FIG. 1, the upstream side of the nozzle is provided withcircular gear mechanism 46 which enables the nozzle 10 to be rotatedthrough the rotation of rod 12. The mechanism 40 includes a pair ofknurled spurs 41 and 42, with spur 42 being connected to rod 12 the endsof which are rotated by lawn sprayer wheels 44 that are in rollingcontact with the ground. Thus, when the lawn sprayer 46 is pushed alongthe ground, the rotation of the wheels 44 is conveyed to the rod 12, andthrough the gears 40 and 42, the nozzle 10 is caused to rotate about thecenter point of base 18 and about an axis normal to the plane of base18. As shown in FIG. 1, at least one bearing support 48 may be providedfor the rod 12 with the nozzle 18 being also revolvably mounted in thebearing support 48. The support member 16 is provided with the lawnsprayer 46, and liquid or solid supply tank (not shown) may also form anintegral part of the lawn sprayer 46. Supply connections 14 will leadthe liquid or solids to main chamber 58 (FIG. 4) that lies between base18 and cover 19 of the nozzle 10. Where solids are involved, specialfeeding means may have to be employed to deliver the solids to nozzle10.

When the lawn sprayer 46 is moved along the ground, the nozzle 10 willrotate, and the material to be dispensed is fed to chamber 50 in orderto have a centrifugal force imparted thereto as the material is about topass through discharge openings 32 adjacent the interior side of aparticular spray wall. The centrifugal force of rotation causes theliquid or solid being discharged to be impelled against the interiorside of the immediate spray wall and then forced outwardly in a spraypattern composed of uniform droplets. The annular spaces betweenadjacent spray walls may be regarded as annular chambers Wherein theaforesaid impelling action occurs with the actual spray pattern beinginitiated as soon as the material has passed immediately outwardly ofthe spray wall that is closely adjacent outwardly to a particulardischarge openin g from which the material emerged.

The various heights of the spray walls 24, 26, 28 and 30 will undercertain circumstances enhance the uniformity of the spray pattern. Thus,the innermost spray wall 24 (the one closest to the center point) is atthe greatest height so that material emerging from the dischargeopenings located just interiorly of the spray Wall 24 will not come incontact with the remaining spray walls 26, 28 and 30. As can be readilyseen, the aforesaid concept will apply in a similar fashion to thedischarge openings located immediately interiorly of the spray Walls 26,28 and 30.

The provision of the notches 36 will tend to eliminate bridging ofmaterial between adjacent spray walls, even when the spray walls are ofthe same height. As also set forth herein, the tops of the spray wallsmay be beveled where it is necessary to take further steps to minimizebridging.

While the nozzle of the present invention has been discussed for use inconnection with a lawn sprayer, it is obvious that it may also beincorporated into many known spray devices which utilize a rotatingspray head or nozzle. The droplets in the spray pattern obtainedutilizing the nozzle of the present invention are rendered uniform byvirtue of the impelling action against the spray walls which is obtainedfor the reason set forth herein. The size and spacing of the dischargeopenings may, of course, be varied. For instance, if there are fewerdischarge openings adjacent the center of the nozzle and more dischargeopenings around the outer edges thereof, a pattern would be obtained ofspraying less material in the center of the swath and a considerablyheavier coverage on the outer edges.

If nozzle of the present invention is fitted to a lawn sprayer, theWidth of the swath will be dependent on how fast the operator walks.When the operator walks faster, the spray nozzle will rotate faster. Thepattern or density of the swath will depend, for the reasons previouslydiscussed, upon the number of discharge openings in the nozzle and uponthe number of concentric discharge openings in the nozzle. The presentinvention, however, is not necessarily limited to a circularconfiguration, but it is contemplated that the spray walls could bearranged in patterns other than circular, such as defining a rectangularor other polygonal area or in parallelism or inclined with respect toeach other.

When a lawn spraying device is fitted with a nozzle of the presentinvention, it is easier to calibrate the spray rate of such a device.All that need be done is to observe visually the width of the swath.When a desirable Width is obtained, there is reasonable certainty thatthe material is being applied on a uniform basis.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present inventionare possible in the light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, tobe understood that within the scope of the appended claims, theinvention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed as the invention is:

1. A lawn sprayer nozzle comprising a base with a central point, aplurality of vertically disposed concentric spray walls of varyingdiameters extending downstream from said base and being disposed aboutsaid central point, a plurality of vertically disposed dischargeopenings formed in said base, said discharge openings being formedclosely adjacent to a particular spray wall but being located betweensaid spray wall and said central point closely adjacent to the interiorside of said spray Wall, means for rotating the nozzle about an axisnormal to the plane of the base and means to deliver material to bedispensed to said nozzle whereby the centrifugal force imparted to saidmaterial by virtue of the rotation of said nozzle will cause saidmaterial to be impelled against the interior side of a spray wall afterpassing through said discharge openings whereby a spray pattern iscreated having a substantially uniform particle size.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein notches are provided in said sprayWalls.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said notches are V shaped.

4. The invention of claim 1 including upstanding pegs extending awayfrom said spray walls.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said nozzle is of a circularconfiguration, and said spray walls are disposed in concentric circlesabout said central point.

6. The invention of claim 5 wherein the spray wall closest to thecentral point is the highest wall and each succeeding spray wall issuccessively lower in height.

7. The invention of claim 1 wherein the tips of the spray walls areinclined outwardly away from said central point in order to minimizebridging of the gap between adjacent spray walls by the material beingdispensed.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,149,810 8/1915Crosbie 239223 1,506,226 8/1924 Dick 239-224 1,751,531 3/1930 Schars239214 X 1,962,781 6/1934 MacLachlan 239224 2,369,216 2/1945 Crisp239223 3,144,209 8/1964 Grifiiths 239223 X FOREIGN PATENTS 629,5885/1936 Germany.

642,060 2/1937 Germany.

733,017 3/1943 Germany.

428,018 5/1935 Great Britain.

OTHER REFERENCES Metz, Martin: German printed application No. 1,180,-284, published Oct. 22, 1964.

M. HENSON WOOD, JR., Primary Examiner. VAN V. WILKS, Assistant Examiner.

1. A LAWN SPRAYER NOZZLE COMPRISING A BASE WITH A CENTRAL POINT, APLURALITY OF VERTICALLY DISPOSED CONCENTRIC SPRAY WALLS OF VARYINGDIAMETERS EXTENDING DOWNSTREAM FROM SAID BASE AND BEING DISPOSED ABOUTSAID CENTRAL POINT, A PLURALITY OF VERTICALLY DISPOSED DISCHARGEOPENINGS FORMED IN SAID BASE, SAID DISCHARGE OPENINGS BEING FORMEDCLOSELY ADJACENT TO A PARTICULAR SPRAY WALL BUT BEING LOCATED BETWEENSAID SPRAY WALL AND SAID CENTRAL POINT CLOSELY ADJACENT TO THE INTERIORSIDE OF SAID SPRAY WALL, MEANS FOR ROTATING THE NOZZLE ABOUT AN AXISNORMAL TO THE PLANE OF THE BASE AND MEANS TO DELIVER MATERIAL TO BEDISPENSED TO SAID NOZZLE WHEREBY THE CENTRIFUGAL FORCE IMPARTED TO SAIDMATERIAL BY VIRTUE OF THE ROTATION OF SAID NOZZLE WILL CAUSE SAIDMATERIAL TO BE IMPELLED AGAINST THE INTERIOR SIDE OF A SPRAY WALL AFTERPASSING THROUGH SAID DISCHARGE OPENINGS WHEREBY A SPRAY PATTERN ISCREATED HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY UNIFORM PARTICLE SIZE.